§ 99-49-1. Legislative intent; definitions; preservation of evidence procedures; remedies for noncompliance
Legislative intent.The Legislature finds that: The value of properly preserved biological evidence has been enhanced by the discovery of modern DNA testing methods, which, coupled with a comprehensive system of DNA databases that store crime scene and offender profiles, allow law enforcement to improve its crime-solving potential; Tapping the potential of preserved biological evidence requires […]
§ 99-43-45. Testimony and preparation for criminal proceeding free from threat or fear of losing employment
The victim shall respond to a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding or participate in the reasonable preparation of criminal proceeding without loss of employment, intimidation or threat or fear of the loss of employment.
§ 99-43-47. Prosecutor assertion of victims’ rights
The prosecuting attorney may assert any right to which the victim is entitled.
§ 99-43-49. Failure to provide victim’s right; effect; reasonable attempts to provide notice
The failure to provide a right, privilege or notice to a victim under this chapter shall not be grounds for the defendant to seek to have the conviction or sentence set aside, and any reasonable attempt to provide notice shall satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
§ 99-43-101. Rights of children testifying in criminal proceedings
The following terms have the meanings ascribed: “Child” means any individual under the age of eighteen (18) years of age who must testify in any legal or criminal proceeding. “Proceeding,” “criminal proceeding” or “legal proceeding” means: Any criminal hearing, criminal trial or other criminal proceeding in the circuit or county court in which a child […]
§ 99-45-1. System established to inform crime victims regarding status of criminal offenders
The Department of Corrections shall establish a statewide automated victim information and notification (SAVIN) system that will do the following: Automatically notify a registered victim via their choice of telephone, letter, or email when any of the following events affect an offender housed in the Department of Corrections or any county jail in the state: […]
§ 99-45-3. Law enforcement obligation to notify crime victims satisfied through participation in SAVIN program
Participation in the SAVIN program and making offender and case data available on a timely basis to the SAVIN program will satisfy the Department of Corrections’, sheriff’s, and prosecuting attorney’s obligation to notify the crime victim of an offender’s custody status and the status of the offender’s upcoming court events.
§ 99-45-5. Department of Corrections required to update offender information frequently; no cause of action created by failure of automated system to provide notice to victim
The Department of Corrections must ensure that the offender information contained within the automated victim notification system is updated frequently enough to timely notify a crime victim that an offender has been released, has been discharged, or has escaped. However, the failure of the automated victim notification system to provide notice to the victim does […]
§ 99-45-7. Cooperation among law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement officers shall cooperate with the Department of Corrections in establishing and maintaining the automated victim notification system.
§ 99-45-9. Administration by Department of Corrections; Statewide Victims’ Information and Notification System Fund created
The Department of Corrections shall administer the automated victim notification system. The cost of administering the system must be paid with appropriations made to the department and from federal grants and contracts. There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Statewide Victims’ Information and Notification System Fund. The […]